Vancouver Magazine
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Nothing wrong with hitting the beach every day—but there’s culture happening this summer, too.
WHEN June 10 to September 20 WHERE Vanier Park COST From $35 Sun, sand and soliloquies—it’s an ’80s-inspired take on The Two Gentlemen of Verona featuring live music and, yes, a real dog in the cast. (Note to my agent: next time, clarify I’m not auditioning against a golden retriever.) Check out our interview with Bard on the Beach performer Tess Degenstein.
WHEN June 29 to August 16 WHERE Malkin Bowl COST From $35 Blonde hair, open air! Theatre Under the Stars brings the cult-classic film-turned-musical back—this time proving that blondes can have more fun, earn law degrees and be outdoorsy. Elle Woods, live from the woods. (Stanley Park, to be exact).
WHEN Every Sunday in July WHERE Robson Square COST Free (donations welcome) Begin with a free salsa lesson, then dance away your Sunday. Even if you’ve got two left feet, you’re in for a spicy good time.
WHEN July 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 WHERE 4541 Boundary Rd. COST Free admission Souvlaki, bouzouki beats and dance circles that make you shout “Opa!” Whether you’re here to feast or dance, it’s a taste of Greece in East Van.
WHEN July 5 WHERE West 4th Avenue COST Free Vancouver’s ultimate block party—indie beats, artisan treats, food truck feasts and the sweet freedom of a car-free street to get your dance on.
WHEN July 5 WHERE Ceperley Park playground (Stanley Park) COST From $63.27 Lace up for the flattest, fastest 10K in town—no hills, just thrills (and the occasional goose).
WHEN Tuesdays from July 8 to August 26 WHERE Second Beach COST Free Movies under the stars—pack a picnic while you wait for the sundown showtime and be prepared for raccoon-approved popcorn theft.
WHEN July 11 and 12 WHERE Vancouver Playhouse COST From $38 Iranian-Canadian TikTok star Neema Naz brings his wildly relatable chaos to the stage—because laughing at his estupid life is way cheaper than therapy for your own.
WHEN July 11 to 13 WHERE Jonathan Rogers Park COST Free entry (cash for food) Fútbol, tacos and samba dancing in flip flops—Carnaval del Sol is the beachy Brazilian banger you want with the Jonathan Rogers Park you have.
WHEN July 12 WHERE Deer Lake Park (Burnaby) COST Free Picnic under the stars with Beethoven and film scores—culture meets casual park hangout.
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WHEN July 12 WHERE PNE Grounds COST From $30 It’s beer. It’s music. It’s summer. What more do you need—directions?
WHEN July 13 WHERE Various routes COST Free Run, walk or sashay a scenic 5K or 10K along the seawall—all for a good cause and great vibes.
WHEN July 18 and 19 WHERE Orpheum Theatre COST From $32 Watch the magic unfold live as the VSO brings Encanto to life. Yes, they will talk about Bruno (in full orchestral glory).
WHEN July 18 to 20 WHERE Jericho Beach Park COST From $225 for a weekend pass Canada’s only beachside folk fest is back. Three sun-soaked days of folk, roots, world music—and probably some Spikeball.
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A post shared by Honda Celebration of Light (@celeboflight)
WHEN July 26, July 30 and Aug 2 WHERE English Bay Beach COST Free The annual fireworks fiesta lights up the night sky, this time with provincial competitors instead of international pyro experts. Pro tip: arrive early to snag a prime spot.
WHEN July 25, 26 and 28 WHERE Orpheum Theatre COST From $270 A legendary night with the icon himself—intimate, orchestral and quietly unforgettable. Bring tissues.
WHEN July 26 WHERE Granville Island COST Free Baroque? Don’t stress—it’s free! Expect harpsichord, violin and flute, paired with authentic 17th- and 18th-century dance moves. (Tell your kids it’s old-timey TikTok. No promises they’ll look up from their phones.)—And be sure to check out our guide to eating, snacking and enjoying Granville Island.
WHEN July 26 WHERE The Pleasant COST Free (just buy your drinks) It’s a collaborative doodle fest where stick figures and quirky comics steal the show.
WHEN July 26 WHERE 250 W 3rd Ave. COST Free Calling all heat seekers—it’s Vancouver’s first rooftop hot sauce fest with spicy snacks, fiery contests, cold drinks and a DJ’d after-party so you can dance the night (or acid reflux) away.
WHEN July 31 WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre COST From $67 Indie folk troubadour Father John Misty is coming all the way to Vancouver to give the bearded and mustachioed among us an excuse to feel—because men will do anything but go to therapy.
WHEN August 3 WHERE HI Vancouver Downtown COST From $49 Take your Pride to new heights with a DJ’d rooftop bash—because turning the city skyline into your dance floor is a point of pride.
WHEN August 9 WHERE Mount Pleasant COST Free Mount Pleasant’s newest, chillest all-day block party serving art, live music and excuses to snack. It’s literally called Pleasant Day: you’ve gotta be in for a good time.
WHEN August 12 WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre COST From $82 Boygenius alum Lucy Dacus (a.k.a. the voice behind your current emotional spiral) is touring her new solo album Forever Is a Feeling—a perfect time to test-drive that waterproof mascara.
WHEN Mid-August WHERE Museum of Anthropology COST $10 plus museum admission (free for Indigenous folks) The two‑hour hands-on session with an Indigenous artist covers the basics of cedar bark and wool weaving. Create a bracelet or woven rose while soaking in cultural stories in MOA’s Great Hall.
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A post shared by [email protected] (@vanrathfest)
WHEN August 23 to 24 WHERE Creekside Park COST Free Two days of joyful vibes, soul food and live music and a colourful parade along the seawall, plus a free three-course meal on Sunday. Yes, really.
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Kerri Donaldson is an assistant editor for Vancouver magazine (and sister mag Western Living) and covers arts and culture, including VanMag’s So Fun City. She’s also a comedian and will proudly overthink almost everything for your benefit. Send her pitches or riff bits at [email protected]
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